Islam is the youngest and the second largest and fast-growing religion in the world. The origin of Islam is linked to Muhammad Prophet in around 600 AD and has about 1.62 billion followers worldwide. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah. Religious concepts and practices include the five pillars of Islam, which are basic concepts and obligatory acts of worship, and following Islamic law, which touches on virtually every aspect of life and society, providing guidance on multifarious topics from banking and welfare, to family life and the environment. Most Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75–90%) or Shia (10–20%).
Islamic Grievance and Remembrance rituals.
Funeral traditions have developed over the centuries and differ in every country. The Turkish interpretation of Islam is in some ways different than those in Arabic countries.
The most common Islamic funeral and grief traditions include:
Funerals should be kept simple and respectful and it is forbidden to cremate the body of a Muslim. Muslims are buried with their face turned to the right, facing Mecca and it is customary not to use a coffin. Mourners may throw earth onto the coffin in the grave, the grave may be raised above ground level and any gravestone should be simple. There is an official mourning period of three days (longer for a remaining spouse) and this may include a special meal to remember the deceased. Death is the end of the present life, but a Muslim believes in the life hereafter. Death is considered to be Allah's will. For Muslims, death is not the final end, but a temporary separation of soul from the body which will be brought back to life on the Day of Judgment.
Relatives and friends gather at the home of the deceased person, give comfort to the immediate family members, recite the Qur'an and pray for Allah's forgiveness and mercy for the dead. It is the funeral and religious custom of Muslims to bury the body within 24 hours of death if possible, cremation and routine autopsies are forbidden.
The burial is the top priority after a person dies and must take place as soon as all arrangements can be made. No formalities or waiting for anybody should delay the burial. Therefore, friends and relatives expedite the process and complete the burial. For burial, the body is washed and it should take place in the most sober and dignified manner and the resources should be saved for the survivors rather than wasting them on an exorbitant burial.
The face showing is not in the culture of lslam, though close relatives may do so. In the event of a male death, his widow must observe a waiting period of about four lunar months. She may get married after that period. This is necessary in order to determine her probable pregnancy with the deceased husband, and therefore the distribution of his bequest to his children. The friends and the relatives are obliged to keep the grieved family relieved of the burden of preparing meals for three days.
As part of the funeral and religious customs of Muslims, the recitation of the holy Qur'an is recommended by the bedside of a person about to die to facilitate the remembrance of Allah. The funeral prayer (service) is an obligation of Muslims. It should be observed by at least some, but not necessarily all.
Visiting the mourners during the first three days after the death is highly recommended.
Non-Muslim friends can show their sympathy and love in so many other ways, such as by being present at the funeral services or by paying a visit to the mourning family. Non-Muslim friends may express their sympathy to the bereaved family by saying that Allah show His Mercy to the deceased and forgive him/her.
Main
Islamic Holy Places in the World.
Mecca, The Ka'ba mosque, Saudi Arabia - destination of the hadj (or hajj)
Medina, Saudi
Arabia - city that
Muhammad fled when he was initially driven out of Mecca, and the place where he
attracted his first followers
Jerusalem, Israel
- which was the original qibla (direction of prayer)
before it was changed to Mecca
Karbala, Iraq - Shia Muslims
consider Karbala to be one of the
holiest places in the world, second only to Mecca and Najaf
Najaf, Iraq - one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam
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